One snowy morning in January I rolled up at the local Jog Scotland group to start a 10 week program designed to get you from the couch to
running 5k. Week one started with a warm up, 60 second jog, 90 second walk and repeat for 20 minutes. 60 seconds doesn't sound much does it? It was hard! Why was I doing this! Why would anyone put themselves through this! But week after week I returned.

As the weeks went on, we ran more, walked less. 10 weeks down the line with lots of support & encouragement from the group & leaders I ran 5k! I thought about setting myself a new challenge, I could run the Baxter 10k in October in memory of Alasdair. I started signing up for local races and ran a few 10k's, to run a 10k for Alasdair didn't seem enough of a challenge anymore, he deserved more. Running further than 10k was a scary prospect but one brave day I took leave of my senses and before I knew it I was signed up for the Aviemore 1/2 marathon. What had I done?

For those of you who don’t know, Alasdair is our son. When he was just 9 months old he suddenly became very poorly, we rushed him to hospital. Alasdair had an enlarged heart; he had a cardiac arrest and was in a critical condition. After hours in theatre trying to stabilise him he was transferred to the Royal hospital for sick Children in Glasgow where he arrested again. Alasdair fought hard, the amount of machines that he was hooked up to was scary, and we were told he was on the maximum amount of support possible. Three long, hard, dark days passed. We just kept hoping. It wasn't enough. We were given the news we were dreading, there was nothing more they could do for Alasdair and his life support would be switched off.

Months down the line we were told Alasdair had a rare condition called Barth Syndrome. Barth syndrome is a rare, often life-threatening genetic disorder that affects boys.  The heart is the logo they use because most of the boys have heart failure and risk sudden cardiac arrest. 

http://www.barthsyndrome.org.uk/

the unthinkable had happened, losing a child; something no parent should ever have to go through. It is really important to us that we keep Alasdair’s memory going; for people to remember he was here, to raise awareness and money in his memory. Which is why I decided I could put all my running to good use and run the Aviemore 1/2 marathon on the 15th of October just days before Alasdair’s 4th Birthday.

Any sponsors received will go to the Barth Syndrome Trust in Alasdair’s name. When I'm struggling to keep going and have to dig deep it’s Alasdair and every single one of you who have supported us the last three years that will keep me going.

Thank-you all from Laura and family X